Economics

New UK Statistics Authority chair pledges to push for raised status and seniority for profession

UK Statistics Authority says NHS Improvement does not have to publish quarterly performance figures before general election

Party also pledges to increase income tax to pay for NHS cash boost

Conservationists voice fears over proposals to remodel listed city office block

IFS analysis finds both Labour and Conservative plans would lead to increase in proportion of public sector workers paid national minimum wage

The Institute for Government says budget projections must not provide “cover for misleading intentions”

New combined authority chiefs could improve services and boost local economies if offered new menu of powers, says think tank

Local Government Association asks all parties to commit to further devo rollout in their election manifestos

Shift in responsibility during staff reshuffle creates questions over civil service reform, says IfG

MPs question need for tax collection agency’s shift to city centre bases amid digital services drive

Review suggests priorities and spending decisions should be “more explicitly informed” by the return they provide on investment

Commons Procedure Committee demands beefed-up model for examining government's Main Supply Estimates

Government Legal Department director targets multi-million pound efficiencies

Public Accounts Committee report on outsourced tax credits debacle says agency lacked the commercial capacity for the payment-by-results deal

Public Accounts Committee calls for forensic audit of spending at UK Trade & Investment after concluding contractor took advantage of arm’s-length body

Newport campus part of £17m investment in new technology and data sources

Centralised purchasing body still needs to develop full business case, according to committee

Watchdog warns demands of service pressures, major projects and Brexit are outpacing Whitehall’s capacity to deliver at a time of staffing restrictions and spending restraint

New department says £125k role will focus on developing its “underpinning foundations”, building values and forming its culture

Auditor general says he has support for plan from Whitehall permanent secretaries

Treasury Select Committee says it would be “imprudent” for decisions on the multi-billion pound overhaul to be taken before inquiry is complete

Davinder Mann promoted to lead operations at business-aiding agency

Think tank argues chancellor’s bungled budget fundraiser makes case for better policymaking

National Audit Office says department’s attempts to address delays have compressed its Carrier Strike delivery schedule and “added risk with limited contingency”